atsaubrey 0 #1 December 27, 2004 I was thumbing thru the January issue of Private Pilot and noticed they built a plane using a Harley-Davidson motorcycle engine. Would anyone in their right mind fly in this thing without a rig? NOT ME! let the flaming begin"GOT LEAD?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #2 December 27, 2004 That's HILARIOUS! Especially since Harleys have SUCH a reputation for being UNRELIABLE. I think for kit planes I'll stick with a Rotax. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #3 December 27, 2004 QuoteEspecially since Harleys have SUCH a reputation for being UNRELIABLE. Yeah, so did horseless carriages in 1902. Times change.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrunkMonkey 0 #4 December 27, 2004 You mean this: http://www.hog-air.com/hogindex.htm?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #5 December 27, 2004 So it's a Zodiac that they put a Harley engine in? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quatorze 1 #6 December 27, 2004 QuoteQuoteEspecially since Harleys have SUCH a reputation for being UNRELIABLE. Yeah, so did horseless carriages in 1902. Times change.... Well it better be one of the new Evo head engines then, you put an old knuckle or shovel head in a plane you'd be lucky to make it off the taxi way I'm not afriad of dying, I'm afraid of never really living- Erin Engle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quatorze 1 #8 December 27, 2004 where oh where is that smiley with the birdey finger I'm not afriad of dying, I'm afraid of never really living- Erin Engle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tunaplanet 0 #9 December 27, 2004 Harley's are complete garbage. Overpriced, unreliable, generic pieces of shit. They can't hold a candle to Japanese cruisers. Forty-two Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #10 December 27, 2004 You have no idea what you're talking about. What kind of bike do you have? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #11 December 27, 2004 QuoteThat's HILARIOUS! Especially since Harleys have SUCH a reputation for being UNRELIABLE. I think for kit planes I'll stick with a Rotax. So what's wrong with Harley-Davidsons??? (OK, so my Sportster shook the chain-oiler off on the ride home from buying it.) But other than that, what's wrong with Harley-Davidsons??? (OK, so the camshaft bearings went out at about 2000 miles.) But other than that, what's wrong with Harley-Davidsons??? (OK, so one fork seal went out a few weeks later.) But other than that, what's wrong with Harley-Davidsons???"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #12 December 27, 2004 QuoteQuoteThat's HILARIOUS! Especially since Harleys have SUCH a reputation for being UNRELIABLE. I think for kit planes I'll stick with a Rotax. So what's wrong with Harley-Davidsons??? (OK, so my Sportster shook the chain-oiler off on the ride home from buying it.) But other than that, what's wrong with Harley-Davidsons??? (OK, so the camshaft bearings went out at about 2000 miles.) But other than that, what's wrong with Harley-Davidsons??? (OK, so one fork seal went out a few weeks later.) But other than that, what's wrong with Harley-Davidsons??? I have friends that work at Harley. Some of them own a Harley (great peaks for buying one if you want to)...some of them don't. The ones that don't own Harley's are given major grief at work. At the same time...says something about a company's product if their own employees don't want to own one of their own. Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tunaplanet 0 #13 December 27, 2004 Quotesays something about a company's product if their own employees don't want to own one of their own. Amen. Forty-two Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #14 December 27, 2004 QuoteAt the same time...says something about a company's product if their own employees don't want to own one of their own. Not really. Do all Kawasaki employees own them? Or Honda workers? I doubt it. Some people like Harleys, some don't. Whatever. But the reliability and quality of the 88B engines is as good, if not better, than their Japanese counterparts. (Note - ryoder's sportster doesn't have this engine). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tunaplanet 0 #15 December 27, 2004 Quotethe 88B engines is as good, if not better, than their Japanese counterparts. ROFLMAO! George Carlin couldn't make up shit that funny. Keep em coming. I need more humor today. Forty-two Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #16 December 27, 2004 I'm sorry, what kind of bike was it that you have again? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davelepka 4 #17 December 27, 2004 QuoteI'm sorry, what kind of bike was it that you have again? It's a sweet 1998 Un-supported Opinion-o-Matic. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pleifer 0 #18 December 27, 2004 Bwahhaahhh.... nice! come on, I ride a honda... but the claims about the new Harleys are really un-substantiated _________________________________________ The Angel of Duh has spoke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VectorBoy 0 #19 December 28, 2004 QuoteI was thumbing thru the January issue of Private Pilot and noticed they built a plane using a Harley-Davidson motorcycle engine. Would anyone in their right mind fly in this thing without a rig? NOT ME! let the flaming begin There is a big gaping vacuum in aviation engines below 100 horse power. Its a big reason the new affordable sport plane market isn't bigger than it is. Don't confuse these with slow ultralights. These are faster, carry more and go farther than ultralights. In 1977 Rutan designed the original single place quickie airframe for two business men to use in their kit which featured a ( I kidd you not ) 20 horse Onan generator/lawn mower engine. Other engines tried in this category of aircraft without resorting to two stroke rotaxs and their problems: BMW twin opposed boxer motors, the french built 2CV opposed twin out of their cute little citroen. VW engines sliced down to two cylinders. And there are small aircraft running on some of the bigger briggs and Stratten motors. So how does the Harley V twin stand in this category now that you see some of the other options? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tunaplanet 0 #20 December 28, 2004 You know the difference between a Harley and a Hoover? Position of the dirtbag. Forty-two Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dumpster 0 #21 December 28, 2004 QuoteYou know the difference between a Harley and a Hoover? Position of the dirtbag. Howdja like to go home and tell Momma a dirtbag whupped your ass? (Strictly JokingMy Sportster (now with over 10,000 miles on it) has not given me a single problem. And I have not been gentle with it. I also have a close friend who owns a Yamaha and has had nothing but headaches with it. with the carb system. The factory told him he has to drain the gas form the carbs if it's going to sit for more than a couple weeks because the gas eats away seals in the carbs. No Joke! I guess all manufacturers have a lemon or two. Harley's got thier bad rep when AMF owned 'em, and quality control was non-exsistant. After AMF pulled out, Harley adopted a TQM approach and got the employees deeply involved in the process, and the companies' success has been phenominal. As far as using a Harley engine in a light aircraft - Well I don't know a whole helluva lot about light aircraft. I would imagine the engine to use would be the counterbalanced 88B engine, as the others vibrate like hell and it seems to me would shake the plane to pieces. Easy Does It Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pick 0 #22 December 28, 2004 Quote There is a big gaping vacuum in aviation engines below 100 horse power...... I dunno. Rotax (4 strokes) fall into the top end of that category. Jabiru does as well. My personal favorite, the Rotec radial ('cause it sounds "right") also falls into the top end of that category. You also have the option of using variations of the Continental or Lycoming 65-90 hp aircraft (or GPU)engines that have been around since the late 30's......without some of the limitations placed on you by FAR's that regulate their use in certificated airframes. When you're talking about aircraft engines, keep in mind that they spend all of their life running continuously at anywhere from 75-90% of their rated horsepower. Most automotive and motorcycle engines (especially Harleys?) never see continuous operation at that power range for any length of time. It's just a thought. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #23 December 28, 2004 Two guys are standing on a bridge watching ships go past. One says to the other, "What kind of ship is that?" "That's a ferry boat.", says the other. "How can you tell?" It has the Navy insignia on the side. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
n2skdvn 0 #24 December 28, 2004 Is this it?if my calculations are correct SLINKY + ESCULATOR = EVERLASTING FUN my site Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #25 December 28, 2004 I love my Sporty... V engines have got to be some of the best sounding around... but I'm not sure that a V-twin is the smoothest(!) running engine in the world so I probably wouldn't want one fitted to an airframe - too many rivets and nuts& bolts to shake loose - just when you dont want them too. My wife says thet the Sportser shakes better than any washing machine .... not too sure what she means (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
